I feel cheated- please help

VN1975

Hi
It was my 10th wedding anniversary and I wanted to give a surprise gift to my wife. So, I decided to give an iPhone5. I bought a 16gig, white iphone 5 from Vodafone. after all the preliminary checks and everything, I was shown the device. He asked med whether I want any help with set up. I refused as I already have an iPhone 4. Also, as it was a surprise gift, I did not want to open the plastic covering that comes with iPhone white box. I got the phone on 24 months contract for £43/month, gift wrapped it, also bought some accessories (screen protector, leather case) and gave as a gift to my wife. She was so happy but,.................... the happiness did not last long. She was upset and crying when she opened the box and found a used phone. I could not believe my eyes :eek: It took a hell lot of effort on my part to convince my wife that I didn't intend to buy the used phone on such a memorable occasion in life.
Now, I am Peed off with Vodafone. Within 10 minutes of realising that they had sold me a used phone, I called them and shouted at the top of my voice.
I was told that it was my fault that I didn't open the box and check the device before taking it. That sounded so daft to me considering the fact that it was a surprise gift and hence I did not want to open the box. The Glasgow based call centre was quick to realise the prank they have played with A WRONG CUSTOMER ON A WRONG DAY. They offered me 50% waive off on my first bill. I asked them to buzz off and asked for 32gig phone AT NO EXTRA COST. They are yet to confirm this.
However, even if they approve, I feel cheated as they played this prank with me on a wrong date. i want to teach Vodafone a lesson. Is there anything I can do here?Or the legal system of this country is so weak that we just have to bear with this humiliation? Reading articles in media and newspaper, I feel that latter is more likely in our obsession for political correctness.
Please help
Thanks

MamaMoo_2

Return the phone and rescind the contract, then try again somewhere else.

You'll be VERY lucky to get an upgrade to a 32gb phone for free. More than likely a small gesture to cover inconvenience, 50% off your first bill sounds about right.

I do think it's a bit ridiculous when you say that your wife was "upset and crying" at a used phone. No CS advisor will read that and up your goodwill gesture out of pity if that's what you're after, more than likely they'll read it and think "jeez, how ungrateful, and what an overreaction".

Abbafan1972

Me personally, I would have asked them to open the box and inspected it first, small price to pay for a broken seal on the box. In what way could you tell it was used? Did it have signs of wear and tear/did it have photos on it?

I suspect from your over-reaction that we have a troll................

MikeWhite

Call me paranoid, but even with gifts I open the box to check what's inside before I give it. It helps avoid just this kind of incident.

Calling and shouting at the top of your voice is not the best way to get help from a rep. I would have hung up on you.

Mike

Silk

VN1975 wrote: »

........ the happiness did not last long. She was upset and crying when she opened the box and found a used phone.

Not surprising she was upset.

She was probably expecting something nice that was going to last the rest of her life, a nice ring or expensive handbag etc etc
Not a dodgy mobile phone thats going to be relegated to the kitchen drawer in a couple of years :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

19lottie82

your wife was crying? jeezo....... high maintenance or what?

and you won't get anywhere by shouting at a CS rep I'm afraid.

so is the 50% off as well as a replacement 16gb? if so that sounds like a good deal to me. accept it and move on. there are more important things in life to be so dramatic over.

JJ_Egan

want to teach Vodafone a lesson.

Find the head office and stick your tongue out .

Or you can take them to court if you want to spend money .

Or grow up and just get over it mistakes are made end of story .

jje

flashg67

In case this is real - please confirm if they have offered a new phone plus the 50% off your first bill? However peed off you are, would be a quick way to sort it and move on. Sure, it's an annoying mistake, but surely you've made errors in life, work etc - there are worse things in the world - child poverty, terrorism, genital warts etc

If you go into an Apple store, or enter the serial number on Apples repair website, you should be able to find out when the warranty expires, and so find out how old the phone actually is...

VN1975

flashg67 wrote: »

In case this is real - please confirm if they have offered a new phone plus the 50% off your first bill? However peed off you are, would be a quick way to sort it and move on. Sure, it's an annoying mistake, but surely you've made errors in life, work etc - there are worse things in the world - child poverty, terrorism, genital warts etc

If you go into an Apple store, or enter the serial number on Apples repair website, you should be able to find out when the warranty expires, and so find out how old the phone actually is...

Thanks flashg67
I did not know about that.
Thanks for letting me know
I will go the apple repair website and check
Other than opening the case and seeing, is there any way I can find out whether I have been sold a used handset, just before signing contract?
Thanks my friend

VN1975

Silk wrote: »

Not surprising she was upset.

She was probably expecting something nice that was going to last the rest of her life, a nice ring or expensive handbag etc etc
Not a dodgy mobile phone thats going to be relegated to the kitchen drawer in a couple of years :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Bless her
No, she was not expecting anything expensive.
We bought a brand new Prius only 6 months ago. After its PREMIUM life (6 months), I have given it to her to drive to work everyday.
But, on 10th wedding anniversary, you wouldn't expect to get a used handset as a gift. I agree that crying was a bit too much, but, being upset, is not unusual. is it?
I bought it from vodafone shop at 14:00 and gave it to her at 1830 same day when we went out for dinner.
Shockingly, many people in this forum find this troll post.
I am speechless

Buzby

Have to say giving someone a 'gift' of a contract phone is a bit lame.

I did this for my wife - but I paid the full price and purchased it direct from Apple - which meant she could choose her own network too. No issues with Apple passing off a used handset accidentally or on purpose.